Many individuals need their signatures authenticated to make a document legally binding. This is where Notary Public or a Thailand notary comes in.
Notaries are official government representatives that can verify a signature, witness documents with stamps or seals and administer oaths. They are commissioned as ministerial officials and expected to follow written rules without exercising significant discretion like a judicial official would.
Authentication of Signatures and Documents
Authenticating signatures and documents is the most common service provided by a Notary Public. This involves verifying the identity of individuals signing legal documents, certifying copies of original documents and administering oaths or affirmations to persons making sworn statements. Documents authenticated by a notary include contracts, agreements, affidavits and statements of persons under oath.
Notaries are regulated by law in most countries to perform these functions. In Thailand, notaries are typically lawyers licensed by the Lawyers Council of Thailand to serve as notary services attorneys and undergo a special licensing assessment. GAM Legal Alliance is a notary services attorney accredited by the Thai Lawyers Council and can be trusted to provide authentication services regulated by the law of Thailand.
Documents authenticated by notaries are recognized and accepted in foreign jurisdictions, allowing individuals to pursue international business opportunities and engage in cross-border transactions with confidence. Authenticating documents is often a precondition for further processes like legalization and an apostille, which are used to confirm the authenticity of the document in the eyes of foreign authorities and institutions.
Virtual notary services have emerged as a convenient solution for individuals looking to authenticate their documents. These online notary services facilitate the authentication process by connecting signers with a notary in as little as two seconds and are available 24/7. With advanced security measures including knowledge-based authentication, credentials analysis and native platform tools, these online notary services ensure that the people signing documents are indeed the ones they claim to be.
Authentication of Affidavits or Statements of Persons Under Oath
A Notary Public is a government official authorized to authenticate signatures or documents as well as witness affidavits and statements of persons under oath. He is also the one who certifies certain legal documents, such as proof of identity, power of attorney in Thailand and title deeds. He can also verify whether a person signing the document is qualified to do so. Some documents cannot become enforceable or binding until they have been notarized.
In Thailand, only accredited attorneys who have passed the training course of Notary Public are licensed to perform this function. The authentication services that they provide are regulated under the Lawyers Act B.E. 2528 and by the Lawyers Council of Thailand. Consequently, notarized documents issued by these lawyers are considered valid internationally.
Several types of documents need to be notarized, including certified copies of passports, visa applications, marriage certificates and bank statements. Additionally, some documents are required to be notarized before they can be submitted to foreign embassies, such as embassy forms, bank statements and proof of address. In all these cases, a notarized certificate will ensure that the document is authentic and is signed by the right person. In addition, it will help in speeding up the process of submitting the documents to the embassy. This will save time and money for the applicant.
Authentication of Translations
Many individuals and organizations require document translations to be authenticated by a Notary Public for international use. This is often necessary for legal matters such as business agreements, immigration processes and academic pursuits.
Generally, the notarization of translations will include verifying the translator’s identity and confirming that they were hired to translate the documents. The notary will then sign and affix their official seal to the translated documents. It is important to ensure that the notarized translations have been reviewed by an expert translator in order to guarantee accuracy.
The notarization process is typically followed by another step of further authentication by the embassy or consulate of the destination country. For example, if your documents were originally issued in Canada and you require them for use in Thailand, the documents will need to be further authenticated by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A Notary Public is a state-licensed public official who is authorized to witness and certify, with their signature and official seal, certain classes of documents in order to give them validity in a foreign jurisdiction. In most countries, Notary Public services are available through government departments. However, many professional translation companies and certified notary services are also able to provide Notary Public services to their clients. This can save you time, money and hassle by eliminating the need for multiple visits to different governmental offices.
Legalization of Documents
Notarized documents are accepted internationally and are vital for international business, real estate transactions or legal proceedings. However, some documents might require further authentication or certification and legalization before they can be used in other countries. H&P has extensive experience helping clients through the entire process.
In most countries, the state officially licenses a Notary Public to authenticate signatures and documents as well as witness affidavits or statements of persons under oath. In Thailand, the Lawyers Council has a regulation allowing certain lawyers to function as Notary Services Attorney and to undergo a professional training course to ensure they are qualified for this role.
Documents notarized by a Notary Public can be recognized abroad, as long as they are presented to the appropriate foreign authority or embassies. The Notary can also certify a copy of a document as a true and accurate reproduction of the original, a service required by banks, schools or authorities abroad.
As Thailand is not a member of The Hague Convention, the country’s documents might need to be further verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok or the relevant embassy for the country of destination before they can be considered valid abroad. This additional step is called “legalization”. Schmidt & Partner has the expertise to handle all aspects of legalization in Thailand.
